Bucket with quick attach blade

ABSTRACT

A blade accessory for use with heavy equipment to permit changeability between a bucket and a grading blade, the blade accessory comprising a frame, means for mounting the frame to the vehicle, means for attaching a bucket to the frame to permit pivotal movement of the bucket with respect to the frame about a vertical axis along with means to pivotably move the bucket in a horizontal plane. Means to mount the blade member on the front of the bucket are such that the blade member may be angled when the bucket is moved in the horizontal plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to heavy equipment and moreparticularly, relates to a blade accessory for attachment to heavyequipment.

[0002] The field of heavy equipment is replete with various types ofgraders and front end loaders. A grader usually comprises a tractor fromwhich a generally vertically disposed blade extends downwardly. Theblade includes a lower edge which is essentially linear and which isselectively positioned relative to the tractor. Graders are employed ina variety of situations to move materials including snow and also forcontouring surfaces such as roads as well as for filling trenches. Inthe case of large construction projects, it is common practice to employa first tractor fitted with a backhoe bucket to move bulk materialfollowed by grading by a second tractor fitted with a pivotablyadjustable grader blade.

[0003] However, for many smaller operations, two separate tractors cannot be economically justified. Therefore, attempts have been made toremovably attach adjustable grader blades to the bucket of a loaderand/or backhoe. Such an attachment would permit an operator to use asingle tractor for both grading and loading. In other circumstances,different types of equipment are used to expedite snow removal. Thevehicles used include front end loaders and graders. Ownership of frontend loaders is common since they are relatively simple and inexpensive.These front end loaders, however, while excellent for their intendedpurpose, are limited in their functions and it would therefore be usefulto have a front end loader vehicle which could perform in a dualrole—either as a front end loader for scooping up a load of material andlifting and depositing it on the truck or as a bulldozer or grader foreither pushing large loads of heavy material or for grading a surface.Unfortunately, however, normal front end loaders are not properlyequipped to permit them to function as a bulldozer.

[0004] Other types of snow removal equipment commonly used include snowplow implements having a hitch mechanism which couples the snow plowblade to smaller vehicles such as pick-up trucks. The main advantage ofexisting equipment is that considerable time and effort is typicallyrequired in order to connect the implement to the truck and todisconnect it therefrom. Prior art equipment is further characterized byexcessive complexity which leads to high manufacturing costs andsubstantial maintenance problems.

[0005] In addition, the moldboards of existing grading equipment aresusceptible to being damaged due to the manner in which they aremounted. The desirability of providing for the yielding of the moldboardwhen the blade strikes a stationary obstacle has been recognized.However, even the moldboards which are mounted for yieldable pivotingare permitted to pivot only in a relatively restricted manner.Consequently, the moldboards frequently pivot to such an extent thatthey bang against the pavement or against the portion of the pushframe,causing damage that requires costly repair or replacement of themoldboard.

[0006] The above mentioned graders are particularly well suited fortheir use but their construction does not allow for other applications.As a result, conventional graders have a low degree of utilization andfrequently are idled over long periods of time.

[0007] Thus, conventional known machinery such as front end loaders,graders and grading implements specifically designed so as to be mountedon conventional small vehicles such as pick-up trucks, although quiteuseful for their intended purpose, suffer from a lack of versatility.Accordingly, there exists a need for a grader attachment that couldallow for the conversion between graders and loader type vehicles. Sucha need has been recognized in the past and there exists known graderblade attachments that may be used in conjunction with the bucketscommonly employed on front end loaders, backhoes and the like to convertsuch vehicles into graders, snow plows or the like. However, such priorart attachments suffer from some drawbacks.

[0008] Indeed, much of the prior art in the field of grader attachmentsconsists of devices that are quite cumbersome to use, structurallycomplex and that necessarily require a great deal of time to install.Some of the known grader blade attachment devices are intended toprovide means that will avoid the necessity of having the vehicle driverdismount from the main vehicle for installation and removal. However, inusing such devices, care must be taken in driving the bucket vehicle andthe device has many small fitting spaces in which ice and snow and otherdebris can accumulate and from which such debris must be removed beforethe grader attachment can be connected to a bucket of the vehicle.

[0009] The grader attachment devices known in the past either have notprovided for angulation of the blade with respect to the bucket on whichit is mounted to permit changing of the angle of attack of the vehiclewhen used as a grader, or alternatively have not provided for easychanging of such blade angle. Furthermore, some of the prior artattachments are mounted directly on the lifting arms which are part ofthe machine and intended for various implements. The drawbacks of thistype of attachment are, on one hand, that it is difficult to controland, on the other hand, that the lifting arms and their mountings haveoriginally been dimensioned for quite different loads, loads of othermagnitude and in other directions which may cause fatigue, buckling andfracture during use of the attachment.

[0010] Also, most known snow plow mounting attachments rigidly affix theplow to the loader. Accordingly, because the plow blade is well forwardof the loader's wheel the blade does not efficiently track the verticalcontours of the plowed surface. Additionally, current mountingattachments are not interchangeable between the wide variety of largehighway plows, nearly all of which have standard mounting brackets.

[0011] Prior art attachments also suffer from the requirement ofrequiring either the provision of especially designed buckets orsubstantial modification to the existing bucket. In addition, prior artdevices inherently require a substantial amount of time in mounting anddismounting the attachment. Also, flexibility of the loader equipmentprovided by the prior art attachments is somewhat negated by requiredpermanent fixture and modifications to the equipment interfering withthe normal use and performance of the loader equipment.

[0012] One of the most common problems associated with the prior artattachments is that they typically involve close tolerance securingmechanisms that include many moving parts. Experience has demonstratedthat, under winter use conditions involving repeated exposure to snow,ice, sand and salt, such complicated mechanisms are subjected tojamming, freezing and rusting. Consequently, the moving parts oftenbecome inoperable, or, even worse, break under excess force applied inattempting to free them. As mentioned previously, many snow plowmounting attachments necessitate bolting or welding fixtures or makingmodifications to the loader's bucket to assist in securing the plow tothe loader. Frequently, however, such changes to the loader will impairnormal loader operation. Invariably, such changes involve significantcost both in manpower and equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide ablade accessory for attachment to a bucket of the type commonly found infront end loaders, backhoes, and the like.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide ablade accessory which can be quickly and easily attached to a bucketvehicle and which can be angled in a horizontal direction.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide ablade accessory which can be connected to the bucket of equipment suchas a front end loader or backhoe and wherein it may be attached withoutrequiring the operator to come out of the cab.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a blade accessory for attachment to a vehicle, the accessorycomprising a frame, means for mounting the frame to the vehicle, abucket, means for attaching the bucket to the frame to permit pivotalmovement of the bucket with respect to the frame about a vertical axis,and means to pivotably move the bucket in a horizontal plane, and ablade member, means to mount the blade member on a front face of thebucket such that the blade member is angled when the bucket is moved inthe horizontal plane.

[0017] Preferably, the blade accessory includes at least one cylinderassembly for pivotably moving the bucket in the horizontal plane, thecylinder assembly comprising a cylinder having a piston rod, first andsecond connecting rods, each of the connecting rods having a first endconnected to a distal end of the piston rod, a second end of the firstconnecting rod being connected to the frame, and a second end of thesecond connecting rod being connected to the bucket, the arrangementbeing such that movement of the piston will cause the connecting rods tomove apart to thereby cause the bucket to pivotably move with respect tothe frame.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cylinders are mountedvertically and are mounted to the frame with the piston rod extendingdownwardly and the connecting rods being in a V-shaped configuration.Utilizing two such cylinder assemblies, one secured to each end of thebucket, any movement of the bucket and accompanying blade may easily becontrolled.

[0019] The means for attaching the bucket to the frame may include aV-shaped member having first and second arms. The V-shaped memberinterconnects the bucket and frame at an upper portion thereof with afirst end of the first and second arms being pivotably connected to acenter connecting point on the frame with second ends of each of thefirst and second arms being connected to the bucket.

[0020] The blade accessory, as aforementioned, has a blade member whichincludes a blade frame, the blade frame preferably having a tongueportion extending through a rear wall of the bucket, the arrangementbeing such that the tongue portion is secured to the bucket rearwardlyof the rear wall. In this respect, the tongue portion may be secured tothe bucket by means of a locking pin which is pneumatically driven intoand out of a locking position. The blade frame may fit within the bucketand the bucket may include guide means to guide the blade frame into adesired position.

[0021] In a further aspect of the invention, one can incorporate aforklift assembly as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

[0022] The above arrangement permits use of the bucket either on its ownor with the blade attached to the front of the bucket. The bucket aloneor the bucket with blade may be angled for either grading or snowremoval. The blade can be quickly connected to the bucket from the cabof the loader without the operator coming out. The system of attachmentis designed such that there is no need to attach or detach any hydrauliclines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0023] Having thus generally described the invention, reference will bemade to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments of theinvention, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a front exploded view illustrating a bucket with a bladeattachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a rear exploded view illustrating the bucket and bladeattachment;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the bucket;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blade attachment;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a front view of the bucket;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connecting frame;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connecting V-shaped bar;

[0031]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a knuckle pin part;

[0032]FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustrating one of the angleadjustment cylinders and associated linking components;

[0033]FIG. 10 is an exploded view illustrating a locking cylinder part;

[0034]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating part of a hydrauliccircuitry used for controlling a bucket/blade combination such as theone shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0035]FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevational view illustrating the useof other accessories.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by referencecharacters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 the three maincomponents which may be attached to a suitable vehicle. These comprise ablade assembly generally designated by reference numeral 10, a bucketgenerally designated by reference numeral 12, and a frame generallydesignated by reference numeral 14.

[0037] As the accessory is substantially symmetrical about a verticalplane passing through the center, similar reference numerals with aprime will be utilized for parts which are a mirror image of the partson the other side.

[0038] Frame 14, as best seen in FIG. 6, includes a top wall 18 and apair of side walls 20, 20′. Along top wall 18 there is a top wall lug 22extending forwardly thereof and which lug 22 includes an aperture 24therein.

[0039] Each side wall 20, 20′ has a pair of upper side wall lugs 26, 26′respectively with apertures 28, 28′ formed therein. Similarly, at thelower end of each side wall 20, 20′ there are provided a set of lowerside wall lugs 30, 30′ having respective apertures 32, 32′ therein.

[0040] As will be seen from FIG. 6, frame 14 also includes first andsecond lower ears 36, 36′ which are located exteriorly of lower sidewall lugs 30, 30′ respectively. Lower ears 36, 36′ have apertures 38,38′ respectively formed therein. As may be seen in FIG. 6, frame 14includes ears 40 extending upwardly from the front and rear of bottomwall 41 and having a sleeve 42 extending therebetween. Extendingupwardly from top wall 18 are mounting blocks 34, 34′.

[0041] Bucket 12, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, includes side walls 44,44′, upper rear wall 46, rear wall 47, and lower rear wall 49. Extendingrearwardly of upper rear wall 46 are sets of lugs 48, 48′ each havingapertures 50, 50′ respectively formed therein.

[0042] Also extending rearwardly from rear wall 47 are brackets 52, 52′having apertures 54, 54′ respectively located therein. Ribs 56, 56′ areformed on the rear portion of bucket 12 and extend along upper rear wall46 and rear wall 47. Extending between ribs 56, 56′ is a plate 58 onwhich there is provided an ear 60 having aperture 61 formed therein.Formed in rear wall 47 of bucket 12 is an opening 62 (FIG. 5) forreasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. A pair of guides 74, 74′are located on the interior of side walls 44, 44′ respectively.

[0043] Blade assembly 10, as may be best seen in FIG. 4, includes ablade 64 having an A-frame generally designated by reference numeral 66.Mounted on the bottom of A-frame 66 are a pair of shoes 68, 68′ while atthe apex of A-frame 66 there is provided a tongue 70 having an aperture72 formed therein.

[0044] For connecting bucket 12 to frame 14, there is provided a V-bar76 having a first arm 78 and a second arm 80. An aperture 82 is formedat the base of V-bar 76 and a pair of apertures 84 are provided at thedistal ends of arms 78 and 80. Connecting pins 86 and 88 are providedfor reasons which will be discussed hereinbelow.

[0045] An air cylinder 90 is provided for securing bucket 12 to frame 14and includes a locking pin 92. There are also provided connecting pins94 and 96.

[0046] A knuckle pin generally designated by reference numeral 102, asbest seen in FIG. 8, has a shaft 104 with a distal end portion 106designed to receive a nut 108. A pin 110 is utilized for connectionpurposes.

[0047] Movement of bucket 12 and blade assembly 10 is provided throughmeans of cylinders 118, 118′ and reference will now be made to FIG. 9illustrating cylinder 118. Cylinder 118 includes a cylinder mount 120and a piston rod 122 extending out the opposite end with aperture 124being formed therein. A first connecting rod 126 has apertures 128 and130 at opposite ends thereof as does a connecting rod 132 with apertures134 and 136. Connecting pins 138, 140 and 142 are utilized forconnecting the components together as explained hereinbelow.

[0048] As aforementioned, blade 64 is secured to A-frame 66 andpreferably shoes 68, 68′ are coated with a material such as TEFLON(trademark for polytetrafluroethylene). Shoes 68 support frame 66 withinthe bottom of bucket 12. A-frame 66 may be held in place by guides 74,74′ on the inside of bucket 12. Tongue 70 extends through opening 62formed in rear wall 47 and is locked in place by locking pin 92. Lockingpin 92 is actuated by inner cylinder 90 which in turn is connected tobucket 12 at ear 60 through aperture 61.

[0049] Bucket 12 is mounted to frame 14 by means of V-bar 76 and knucklepin 102. V-bar 76 attaches to bucket 12 through apertures 50, 50′ inlugs 48, 48′ respectively utilizing pins 88. Preferably, the V-bar endscontain self aligning bearings to allow some movement.

[0050] V-bar 76 is connected to frame 14 by means of pin 86 whichextends through aperture 82 and aperture 24 in lug 22. Knuckle pin 102provides a second attachment and is secured to bucket 12 by means of pin96. The other end of knuckle pin 102 attaches to frame 14 by passingthrough sleeve 42 and being retained in place by means of nut 108.

[0051] Frame 14 attaches to the heavy equipment firstly by means ofupper side wall lugs 26, 26′ by means of suitable pins (not shown). Asecond connection between them is provided using apertures 32, 32′ inlower side wall lugs 30, 30′. Pin 59 is used for the lower connectionand at the same time, it also secures the lower end of connecting rod132 through apertures 136.

[0052] Bucket 12 is angled by movement of cylinders 118, 118′ which pushor pull on the connecting rods 126, 132, 126′, 132′. The rods, as may beseen in FIG. 9, will perform a scissor like movement which pulls thebucket 12 on one side while pushing it on the other. Cylinders 118, 118′are connected at their cylinder mount 120, 120′ to mounting blocks 34,34′ by pins 142, 142′. Preferably, the cylinder mount 120, 120′ containsa self-aligning bearing to allow movement in its operation. The pistonrod 122 is secured through aperture 124 by means of pin 138 whichextends through aperture 124, and aperture 128 of rod 126 and aperture134 of rod 132. Connecting rod 132 attaches to the frame by means of apin 49 which extends through apertures 136 and aperture 38 of lower ear36. As in the other case described above, there is also preferablyprovided a self-aligning bearing. Connecting rod 126 is secured tobucket 12 by pin 140 which extends through aperture 130 and apertures 54in bracket 52. A self-aligning bearing is also provided.

[0053]FIG. 11 illustrates the basic hydraulic schematic wherein there isprovided a distribution block 144 operatively interconnected between aleft cylinder 118 and a right cylinder 118′.

[0054]FIG. 13 illustrates, in schematic form, a slightly modifiedarrangement. In this arrangement, it will be seen that frame 14 isconnected to loader boom 146 and to loader tilt 148. In this embodiment,intermediate bucket 12 and frame 14 there is provided a forkliftstructure generally designated by reference numeral 150. Forkliftstructure 150 is secured to cylinder 118 at attachment point 152 andincludes forklift tines 154. In turn, forklift tines 154 can be designedto engage bucket 12 as is schematically shown in FIG. 13.

[0055] It will be understood that the above described embodiments arefor purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications maybe made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A blade accessory for attachment to a vehicle, the accessory comprising: a frame, means for mounting said frame to said vehicle; a bucket, means for attaching said bucket to said frame to permit pivotal movement of said bucket with respect to said frame about a vertical axis, means to pivotably move said bucket in a horizontal plane; a blade member and means to mount said blade member on a front face of said bucket such that said blade member is angled when said bucket is moved in said horizontal plane.
 2. The blade accessory of claim 1 wherein said means to pivotably move said bucket in a horizontal plane comprises a cylinder assembly, said cylinder assembly comprising: a cylinder, said cylinder having a piston rod, first and second connecting rods, each of said connecting rods having a first end connected to a distal end of said piston rod, a second end of said first connecting rod being connected to said frame, and a second end of said second connecting rod being connected to said bucket, the arrangement being such that movement of said piston will cause said connecting rods to move apart to thereby cause said bucket to pivotably move with respect to said frame.
 3. The blade accessory of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching said bucket to said frame includes a V-shaped member having first and second arms, a first end of said first and second arms being pivotably connected to a center connecting point on said frame, second ends of each of said first and second arms being connected to said bucket.
 4. The blade accessory of claim 1 wherein said blade member includes a blade frame, said blade frame having a tongue portion extending through a rear wall of said bucket, said tongue portion being secured to said bucket rearwardly of said rear wall.
 5. The blade accessory of claim 4 wherein said means for attaching said blade member to said bucket comprises a locking pin, said locking pin being pneumatically driven into and out of a locking position.
 6. The blade accessory of claim 1 wherein said means to pivotably move said bucket in a horizontal plane comprises first and second cylinder assemblies, each of said cylinder assemblies comprising a cylinder, each of said cylinders having a piston rod, first and second connecting rods, each of said connecting rods having a first end connected to a distal end of said piston rod, a second end of said first connecting rod being connected to said frame, and a second end of said second connecting rod being connected to said bucket, the arrangement being such that movement of said piston will cause said connecting rods to move apart to thereby pivotably move said bucket with respect to said frame.
 7. The blade accessory of claim 6 wherein each of said cylinders is generally vertically oriented.
 8. The blade accessory of claim 4 wherein said blade frame fits within said bucket, said bucket including guide means to guide said blade frame into a desired position. 